Riga Technical University (RTU): English Programmes, Admission and Fees

Riga Technical University (RTU) is a public technical university with campuses in Riga, Liepāja and Rēzekne; it describes itself as the oldest technical university in the Baltics. It offers more than 30 English-taught programmes in engineering, computer systems, electronics, architecture, logistics and business. For 2026/27 a bachelor's year costs $4,030–5,710 (€3,550–5,030), a master's mostly $3,970–7,050 (€3,500–6,210), and architecture $10,560 (€9,300).

You apply online via apply.rtu.lv with a final school certificate showing at least 60% of the maximum grade, IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 72, a motivation letter, a reference and a video interview; bachelor's applicants also take a short maths test. Besides September, some programmes start in January: the application deadline is 15 November 2026 and classes begin on 25 January 2027. Russian citizens apply by the early deadline: for September 2026 it closed on 1 May, and the January 2027 intake is already closed to them on the portal.

Why international students choose RTU

For international applicants RTU is first and foremost the place for engineering and technology taught in English. Practical advantages:

• A moderate English threshold. IELTS 5.5 is enough; RSU, for comparison, asks for 6.0.
• A January intake. The Computer Systems bachelor's, the mechanical engineering bachelor's and several master's programmes admit students in January, which lets school-leavers who missed spring deadlines avoid losing a year.
• Three campuses. Besides Riga, you can study by the sea in Liepāja or in Rēzekne in eastern Latvia.
• A separate business school. RTU Riga Business School runs BBA, MBA and Executive MBA programmes with their own admission rules.

English-taught programmes and fees for 2026/27

Bachelor's

Master's

The Riga Business School MBA costs non-EU students $23,160 (€20,400) for the whole 2.5-year programme and the Executive MBA $37,470 (€33,000). The portal lists these fees for the 2026/27 intake; check the programme page when you apply.

Entry requirements

Bachelor's. A final secondary school certificate with a transcript showing at least 60% of the maximum grade; for technical programmes RTU looks mainly at mathematics and physics. Documents are accepted in English: if your school cannot issue an English transcript, you need an official or notarised translation with a certified copy of the original.

Master's. A bachelor's degree in a related field — for Computer Systems, for example, computer science, IT, electrical engineering, mathematics or physics; for Architecture, architecture and urban planning. The Computer Systems master's includes an online exam in five parts of 45 minutes each, starting with mathematics and algorithms.

English. IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, TOEFL PBT 532, TOEIC 780, Cambridge B2 First or PTE Academic 59. If your whole previous education was in English, a letter from your school or university is enough. Riga Business School sets a higher bar — IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 70 — and applicants without a certificate can take the school's own test.

Also needed. A motivation letter, a CV (especially important for master's applicants and those with a study gap), one reference (two at Riga Business School) and a passport copy.

How to apply

1. Account on apply.rtu.lv. You can fill in the application over several sessions, but you must register before the deadline. Choose your programmes and upload documents.
2. Fee. After you create an account you receive an invoice for the non-refundable application fee, which can also be paid through Flywire. Review starts only after payment and submission.
3. Video interview. Recorded online at a time that suits you, within 7 days of the invitation.
4. Tests. Bachelor's applicants take a 10-question online maths test; some master's programmes have a subject exam.
5. Decision. RTU aims to announce it within three weeks of the interview.
6. Deposit, agreement, invitation. After admission you pay the deposit, $570 (€500) on the portal for Russian and CIS citizens, and tuition, and the university files an invitation with PMLP.

Deadlines by citizenship

In the last cycle, applications for September opened on 1 January; RTU publishes the 2027 dates on its admissions page. Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, as EU candidate countries, apply by the latest deadline; Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan and Armenia by the deadline for other non-EU countries.

January intake: which programmes

According to apply.rtu.lv, applications for the 2026/27 spring semester (classes from 25 January 2027) are open until 15 November 2026 for:

• BSc Computer Systems;
• BSc Engineering Technology, Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering;
• MSc Computer Systems, Business Informatics, Digital Humanities and Architecture.

Foundation course if your English is not ready

General English Foundation is RTU's preparatory English course. A full year (32 weeks, 60 ECTS) costs $3,970 (€3,500) and one semester (16 weeks) $2,840 (€2,500). You need at least B1 to enrol, for example IELTS 5.0. At the end, students take an international exam at B2 level before they can start a degree programme.

Residence permit and immigration support

After admission RTU files the invitation, and the student then either applies for the permit at an embassy before travelling or enters on a visa and applies in Latvia. For first-year students RTU runs a residence-permit briefing, after which its team posts the file to PMLP within seven working days.

What RTU asks you to prepare for the first permit:

• proof of the state fee: $180 (€160) for 30-day processing, $320 (€280) for 10 working days, $640 (€560) for 5 working days;
• the permit application form and the Latvian questionnaire;
• a copy of your passport's biometric pages with the visa or entry stamps;
• an original bank statement of at least $10,670 (€9,400) for the year; if the account is someone else's, double the amount plus a legalised statement from the account holder;
• a certified copy of your rental agreement or RTU dormitory agreement;
• a legalised police clearance certificate with a certified English translation;
• a copy of the Latvian part of your study agreement and a 3×4 photo.

After PMLP's decision you have an X-ray at a Latvian clinic, give biometrics and collect the permit card. If you are refused a visa or permit while still at home, RTU terminates the agreement and refunds unused tuition and the deposit once the embassy confirms the refusal. The general rules for different passports are in our guide to the student residence permit in Latvia.

Housing and payment

RTU has its own dormitories, including on the Ķīpsala campus and on Olaines Street; places are booked with a security deposit that is refunded under the university's rules. Prices depend on the dormitory and room type and are published on RTU's accommodation pages.

If you pay from a CIS country, note RTU's warning: since 1 June 2025 Swedbank charges an extra $110 (€100) on transfers to the university's account involving a number of countries, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. RTU offers Flywire as an alternative for the application fee and tuition. Legal payment routes from Russia are covered in how to pay for studies abroad from Russia.

Who RTU suits, and who should look elsewhere

A good fit if you:

• want engineering, electronics, IT or architecture in English at around $3,970–5,680 (€3,500–5,000) a year;
• currently have IELTS 5.5;
• missed September and can start in January on one of the spring programmes.

Look elsewhere if you:

• want medicine, which RTU does not teach — see RSU;
• want a wide choice of humanities and social science programmes — compare with the University of Latvia in universities in Latvia;
• are considering a programme whose accreditation ends before you would graduate: for example, the Riga Business School BBA is listed as accredited until 25 May 2027, so check its renewal before applying.

Common mistakes

• Waiting for September when January would work. Not every programme has a January start, but Computer Systems and mechanical engineering do.
• Uploading a transcript only in Russian. RTU accepts documents in English, so you need the translation from the start.
• Missing the video-interview window. You have no more than seven days after the invitation.
• Paying tuition in small transfers via Swedbank from CIS countries. The extra $110 (€100) applies to each such transfer.
• Overlooking the early deadline for Russian citizens. For September it closes in early May, for January as early as September.

FAQ

How much does RTU cost for international students?

For 2026/27 a bachelor's costs $4,030–5,710 (€3,550–5,030) a year, the business school's BBA $8,570 (€7,550), a master's mostly $3,970–7,050 (€3,500–6,210) and architecture $10,560 (€9,300). On top come the non-refundable $190 (€165) application fee and a refundable deposit, $570 (€500) for Russian and CIS citizens.

What English level does RTU require?

At least B2: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, TOEIC 780, Cambridge B2 First or PTE Academic 59. If all your previous education was in English, a medium-of-instruction letter is enough. Riga Business School requires IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 70.

Does RTU have entrance exams?

There are no full entrance exams, but there is a video interview and, for bachelor's applicants, a 10-question online maths test. Some master's programmes, such as Computer Systems, add an online subject exam.

Can I start at RTU in January?

Yes, on some programmes. For the 2026/27 spring semester, applications close on 15 November 2026 and classes start on 25 January 2027: the Computer Systems and mechanical engineering bachelor's, and the Computer Systems, Business Informatics, Digital Humanities and Architecture master's.

Does RTU accept Russian citizens?

Yes; Russia is among the countries with an early application deadline. General rules for Russian citizens apply to the permit and entry: a biometric passport, PMLP's permit decision before the visa, and additional checks. Visa and permit decisions are made by PMLP and the embassy, not the university.

Does RTU have student housing?

Yes, the university has several dormitories, including on the Ķīpsala campus. Places are booked with a deposit, and an RTU dormitory agreement is accepted for the residence permit file.

How StudyU can help with RTU

Choosing a programme and intake, checking your grades and English against RTU's requirements, preparing the motivation letter, application documents and residence permit file are provided under an agreement with StudyU. Admission rests with RTU, the residence permit with PMLP and the visa with the Latvian embassy. If you want to know whether you can make the January intake and which programme fits your profile, send us a request. The wider list of Latvian universities is on study in Latvia.

Sources

• RTU: admissions portal and programme pages, institution profile; programmes BSc Computer Systems, MSc Computer Systems, MSc Architecture, BBA Riga Business School, General English Foundation Year
• RTU: admission and deadlines, tuition fees, immigration regulations, refund after visa or permit refusal
• PMLP: first residence permit documents and fee, restrictions for Russian and Belarusian citizens
• Cabinet Regulation No. 554: additional-check countries

ECB rate of 29.09.2026: €1 = $1.1355. Rounding step: $1 below $100, otherwise $10. RTU information checked on 29.09.2026.

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.